Hegemon USA Breached the 1997 Russia/NATO Founding Act

by Stephen Lendman

On May 27, 1997, Russia and the US signed the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation (FA below).

It followed months of negotiations between NATO foreign ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov.

According to the Founding Act's preamble, the agreement "defines the goals and mechanism of consultation, cooperation, joint decision-making and joint action that will constitute the core of the mutual relations between NATO and Russia."

US-dominated NATO pledged not to deploy nuclear weapons or troops in new member states.

The agreement covers principles for establishing security throughout Europe.

Russia and NATO pledged to refrain from use of force, as well to respect the sovereignty, borders, and territorial integrity of signatory nations to the agreement.

It was agreed to settle disputes peacefully when arise.

The Russia/NATO Permanent Joint Council was established as "a mechanism for consultations, coordination and, where appropriate, for joint decisions and joint action with respect to security issues of common concern."

At the same time, nothing in the FA permits veto power by one side against the other — nothing that restricts "independent decision-making and action" on issues related to security.

Principles of mutual cooperation established include the following:

Protecting and preserving "security and stability in the Euro/Atlantic area."

Efforts to assure conflict prevention.

Joint operations to include peacekeeping.

Mutual defense and combatting terrorism.

Nuclear safety, proliferation and arms control issues.

Matters related to deployment of missile defense.

Information related to "air defense and related aspects of airspace management/control."

"Reciprocal exchanges...on nuclear weapons issues, including doctrines and strategy of NATO and Russia."

On matters related to political and military issues, NATO pledged "no intention, no plan and no reason" to deploy or otherwise position nuclear weapons eastward.

Russia and NATO committed to conclude an agreement that updates the 1990 Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty to be in compliance with the FA.

Both sides agreed to greater transparency and predictability on all things security related.

They agreed to enhanced political and military consultations and cooperation.

At the time, the Clinton co-presidency called the FA "an historic change in" East/West relations.

Russian FM Primakov said Moscow remains "categorically against" NATO expansion to include former Soviet republics.

Moscow considers the FA to be part and parcel of the US pledge not to expand NATO eastward toward its borders.

Hegemon USA rejected what's crucial for Russian security by going the other way.

Sharp disagreement between both sides defines current Russian/US relations.

Sergey Lavrov earlier accused the US of "grossly violating (FA) provisions," adding:

"The scale of (US-dominated NATO's) military activity has grown sharply, military presence and infrastructure is built up in regions bordering on Russia, including along the border with the Kaliningrad region."

"(A)ttempts (are) being made to change the existing balance of force in Europe."

"The alliance's military buildup, which is unprecedented since the end of the Cold War, and the growing scale of military training activity (including) efforts to build a US missile defense destabilize the situation in Europe."

What's gone on unacceptably for years "contradict(s) decisions adopted by the OSCE and Russia-NATO summits on creating an integral space of peace, security and stability in the Euroatlantic region and directly affect the national interests of Russia" and its allies.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said "deployment of missile defense elements in Europe and the reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank are becoming the factors that provoke the disruption of the strategic balance of forces and, largely speaking, a new arms race," adding:

US-dominated NATO views Russia as an enemy, not as "an equal partner."

"This sharply narrows variants for cooperation and leads to the persistence of the high level of tension in the region."

Russia's Foreign Ministry said relations between Moscow and US-dominated NATO are "at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War."

"This is a direct result of the bloc's longtime, destructive line aimed at recklessly achieving military and political dominance in European and global affairs."

"(M)easures undertaken (to) enhanc(e) NATO's eastern flank, boosting military presence and infrastructure in regions bordering Russia erode provisions of the Founding Act first of all in relation to commitments to carry out its collective defense and other missions by ensuring the necessary interoperability, integration, and capability for reinforcement rather than by additional permanent stationing of substantial combat forces."

"Attempts to bypass (FA) principles…remain dangerous and contrary to the genuine interests of NATO members."

"We see in this region the alliance's drive to legitimize military buildup near Russia's borders, which together with military activity of some countries of the bloc change the balance of power in Europe and lead to a dangerous round of arms race."

Over the past 25 years, the US repeatedly breached FA principles by expanding NATO's military footprint eastward toward Russia's borders.

At long last, Moscow drew a red line to counter what threatens its security.

That's where things now stand.

Based on their actions, dominant Biden regime hardliners showed that they have no intention of respecting Russia's security concerns, no intention of deescalating heightened tensions.

The risk of unthinkable US war with Russia is ominously high because lunatics with imperial delusions of grandeur run the Washington asylum.